Wednesday 8:15 p.m. June 14-15 Where: Miller Outdoor Theatre, Hermann Park, 6000 Hermann Park Drive Details:
Young people from Theatre Under The Stars Humphreys School perform the
junior edition of “HSM,” showing the turmoil when a jock and brainiac
break out of their strictly defined cliques to compete for roles in
their school’s annual musical . Why you shouldn’t miss it: Kids with the theater bug go nuts over this TV-born sensation.

8:15 p.m. July 16-21 Where: Miller Outdoor Theatre Details: Director/choreographer Michael Bennett’s Pulitzer Prize- and Tony-winning 1975 megahit showcases Broadway chorus dancers competing in grueling auditions for a new show and, in the process, telling all about their lives, struggles and sacrifices. With a propulsive score by Marvin Hamlisch. Why you shouldn’t miss it: Theatre Under The Stars’ free summer show is one of the genuine milestones of musical-theater history

“Antony and Cleopatra,” 8:30 p.m. Aug. 2, 4, 6, 8 and 10; “As You Like It,” 8:30 p.m. Aug. 3, 7, 9 and 11 Where: Miller Outdoor Theatre Details: This year’s festival offers two romantic Shakespeare classics — the first historical and tragic, the second fanciful and comic — sweeping audiences from ancient Rome and Egypt to the magical Forest of Arden. Why you shouldn’t miss it: What part of “Shakespeare classics” did you not comprehend?

11 a.m. July 23-26Where: Miller Outdoor TheatreDetails: Express Children’s Theater presents its annual series of matinees designed to inform and entertain young audiences.Why you shouldn’t miss it: “Dream of Doors,” portraying iconic figures of the civil rights era, July 23; “Three Billy Goats Gruff,” a musical version of the fairy tale, July 24; “The Quest for Fire,” a collage of myths from American Indian populations, July 25; “The Ransom of Red Chief,” the musical version of the classic O. Henry short story about inept kidnappers bested by the super-brat they’ve abducted, July 26.

10 a.m.-5 p.m. Tuesdays-Saturdays, noon-5 p.m. Sundays Where: 4848 Main, www.craft houston.org Details: Visit exhibits and watch resident artists at work. Why you shouldn’t miss it: Through Sept. 8, see “The Tool at Hand,” in which artists were challenged to create works using just one tool; “Ctrl + P,” which looks at the use of technology to create sculpture and functional objects; and “The Ornamental Plumb Bob,” which features works based on a favorite artist’s tool, by San Antonio metalsmith Gary Schott

11 a.m.-7 p.m. Wednesdays-Sundays Where: 1533 Sul Ross, www.menil.org Details: Great collections of surrealist art and antiquities are on permanent display, with thoughtful temporary exhibits drawn from the vaults and satellite buildings devoted to Cy Twombly, Dan Flavin and Mark Rothko. Why you shouldn’t miss it: It’s the first place many celebrities head when they’re in town, but you don’t have to wait for them. See “Byzantine Things in the World” through Aug. 18 and “Late Surrealism” through Aug. 25.

10 a.m.-9 p.m. Thursdays Where: Museum of Fine Arts, Houston, 1001 Bissonnet and 5601 Main, www.mfah.org Details: Houston’s encyclopedic museum offers free general admission on Thursdays. Why you shouldn’t miss it: You have until June 14 to see “The Cyrus Cylinder and Ancient Persia,” on loan from the British Museum. Through Aug. 25, see “Faking It: Manipulated Photography Before Photoshop.” “James Turrell: The Light Inside,” opening Sunday, through Sept. 22, transforms the Upper Brown Pavilion into a wonderland in this major retrospective.

10 a.m.-5 p.m. Mondays-Fridays, noon-5 p.m. Saturdays Where: 4912 Main, www.lawndaleartcenter.org Details: Two floors of galleries feature works by resident and regional artists. Why you shouldn’t miss it: Through June 15, the largest gallery offers a peek into the world of underground musician Domokos Benczédi through his “Domokos / Future Blondes 0.0.0.0.” installation of video, collage and sculpture.

8:30 p.m. June 21, 22, 28, 29 and July 4 Where: Miller Outdoor Theatre; www.houstonsymphony.org Details: The Houston Symphony’s annual outdoor concerts will feature light classics and pop music June 21; full-scale symphonic works June 22, 28 and 29; and patriotic favorites July 4. Why you shouldn’t miss it: The June 21 concert will launch the orchestra’s 100th-birthday festivities, which will continue through the coming season.

: 10 a.m.-10 p.m. July 13 Where: Jones Hall, 615 Louisiana Details: The Houston Symphony hosts a daylong celebration of the city’s musical diversity, featuring choirs, jazz groups and rock and blues bands. Why you shouldn’t miss it: The day concludes with the orchestra’s annual Houston Chronicle Concert, which will be free for the first time. The winner of the Ima Hogg Competition, Israeli-born clarinetist Moran Katz, will be the soloist.

8 p.m. June 14 Where: Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion, 2005 Lake Robbins, The Woodlands; www.woodlandscenter.org Details: The orchestra from the annual festival at the University of Houston will play music by Tchaikovsky and Richard Strauss. Why you shouldn’t miss it: It’s a chance to hear top-quality young musicians at work.

8 p.m. June 14Where: Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion, 2005 Lake Robbins, The Woodlands; www.woodlandscenter.org Details: The orchestra from the annual festival at the University of Houston will play music

: 6:30 p.m. June 20 Where: Discovery Green, 1500 McKinney Details: Concert series with a family-friendly start time features some of the best music talent in the city and beyond. Why you shouldn’t miss it: The Suffers’ ska/soul/rocksteady mix is a festive fit for sundown, and Hamblin and his band create effervescent classic pop

6:30 p.m. June 27 Where: Discovery Green Details: Big brassy blues and R&B served up by a Texas treasure. Why you shouldn’t miss it: Houston native Gaines has played with some of the greats, including Sam Cooke, James Brown, Little Willie John and Jackie Wilson.

7 p.m. July 5 Where: Miller Outdoor Theatre Details: A celebration of a Texas Western swing institution. Why you shouldn’t miss it: In addition to a dance-friendly set by Ray Benson’s band, there will be a screening of a film about the Wheel.

8:30 p.m. Aug. 13Where: Miller Outdoor TheatreDetails: Legendary Cuban pianist and composer heats up an already warm month.Why you shouldn’t miss it: Valdes has played piano and led ensembles since the 1960s. His music is an instant invite to dance.

8:30 p.m. Aug. 13Where: Miller Outdoor TheatreDetails: Legendary Cuban pianist and composer heats up an already warm month.Why you shouldn’t miss it: Valdes has played piano and led ensembles since the

8:30 p.m. Aug. 16 Where: Miller Outdoor Theatre Details: A jazz/hip-hop fusion performance by a prominent High School for the Performing and Visual Arts grad. Why you shouldn’t miss it: Pianist Glasper’s foray into hip-hop earned him a Grammy and made him a leading light for a style of progressive modern jazz.

8 p.m. July 3 and 8:30 p.m. July 23 and 24 Where: Miller Outdoor Theatre Details: Bring a blanket, food and stretch out on the hill. Why you shouldn’t miss it: Featured films included classics new (“The Amazing Spider-Man,” July 3) and old (“That’s Entertainment,” July 23; 1937’s “Shall We Dance?” on July 24).

8 p.m. June 28 Where: Whole Foods, 701 Waugh Details: All ages are welcome. Bring your lawn chairs. Screenings are at twilight in the parking lot. Why you shouldn’t miss it: “The Birdcage,” starring Robin Williams and Nathan Lane, is on the bill. Just in time for the Pride Festival and Parade the next day.

7 p.m. June 19 Where: Miller Outdoor Theatre Details: Lots of music, food and revelry for the 150th anniversary of the Emancipation Proclamation. Why you shouldn’t miss it: Next-gen zydeco great CJ Chenier and his aptly named Red Hot Louisiana Band will squeeze out a festive soundtrack.